Residential Parking Program

Enter your address in the RPZ Voting Map to check for an existing RPZ in your neighborhood.

Enter your address in the RPZ Voting Map and click on the RPZ. A pop-up will appear, redirecting you to the online portal. Parking Services staff will review your account information and documents and issue permits once applications are approved. New accounts may take up to 72 hours to be approved. Upon the creation of residential accounts, all requests receive automatic approval.

Enter your address in the RPZ Voting Map to check the poll status. Property owners can also enter their vote using the validation code received via mail.

Parking Services staff consider establishing RPZs upon resident request.

A neighborhood may be eligible for zoned parking restrictions if it regularly experiences significant spillover parking from adjacent businesses or is near major parking generators (such as high schools, shopping malls, etc.). These restrictions require majority support from the neighborhood and a parking occupancy study. Applications are reviewed semiannually, with April 1 and October 1 submission deadlines.

To apply for a Residential Parking Zone, a Petitioner must be appointed.

A petitioner must be willing to:

• Act as the primary contact for the Residential Parking Program (RPP) request
• Take responsibility for RPP zone notifications
• Maintain outreach integrity during the process of gathering support
• Compile evidence to support the RPP zone creation if it is determined eligible
• As directed by the City of Tacoma, serve as a liaison for any community outreach within the boundaries of the requested RPP zone or adjacent segments.

Only one petitioner is allowed per RPZ application request. To apply, fill out the RPZ Application Packet and send it to Parking Services by mail or email.

Zone classifications determine eligibility for RPZs and size requirements. Enter your address into the RPZ Voting Map to determine the RPZ eligibility status for your neighborhood.

The Residential Parking Program (RPP) limits on-street parking to participating residents living on designated blocks. Vehicles without a Residential Parking Permit can park in a Residential Parking Zone (RPZ) for two hours during operating hours.

To legally park in the RPZs, a vehicle must be registered online and have an active account. Residents may only obtain permits through online registration and whose home addresses are along an RPZ.

To receive a permit, you must meet all of the following requirements:

You must be a current resident or property owner of the zone for which the permit is to be issued. Additionally, you must show proof of residency with at least one of the following:

• A valid driver’s license with current address
• A current property tax statement
• A current utility bill in the requester’s name dated within 30 days of the date of application
• Voter registration card with current address

What do I do if I’m a renter?

If renting/leasing a residential space, you must provide a copy of an executed lease between the property owner or agent and the tenant or tenants. Only those tenants indicated on the lease will be eligible to purchase permits. Subleases are not accepted.

Other Details About the Program

• Purchased permits are not eligible for refunds or credits.
• The City may revoke permits if the vehicle’s owner no longer resides along the RPZ.
• You may purchase permits anytime during the year. However, the City does not prorate the cost.
• Credentials must be displayed or utilized in the manner prescribed by the City.
• Each permit is valid exclusively for the designated vehicle, year, and permit area specified at the time of issuance. The registration number on the resident permit must match the vehicle’s license plate on which it is active.
• The resident shall be required to report/notify the City of the sale or purchase of a vehicle registered for the RPP before parking the vehicle within the zone. Failure to properly report may result in a citation.

Information for Low-Income Residents

Parking permits at a discounted rate are available to low-income residents. Residents who qualify for other low-income programs–TANF, WIC, LIHEAP, SSI, SNAP, etc. are eligible for consideration of discounted rate permits. The City may consider other program participation or conditions when determining eligibility for discounted rate permits. For qualifying households, the permit for the first vehicle will be free of charge. After that, the annual permit cost will follow the basic rate structure for each registered vehicle.

Effective November 1, 2024, residential permits for the first two vehicles are $100 each per year. The price increases by $100 for each additional permit after the second. There is no limit on permits issued per residence; one (1) permit per vehicle.

New applicants must create a new account. To do so, visit the Residential Parking Program Portal and click the green “Sign Up” button at the top right corner of the page.

Submit your application by clicking the green “Sign Up” button at the top right corner of the page.

Please fill out the required fields with your contact and address information. Then, upload valid credit card information. Finally, upload proof of residency, picture identification, and additional documentation if required.

Submit a request for a permit. Parking Services staff will review your account information and documents. If we approve your request, your permit(s) will become active, and we will charge your credit card. If we do not approve it, you will receive a message outlining what you need for approval. New accounts may take up to 72 hours to be approved. Once we approve residential accounts, we will automatically approve all permit requests.

To obtain a permit, you must meet all of the requirements for participation within an established RPZ. The system issues permits electronically by registering your vehicle’s license number. Instead of displaying a physical permit, we will associate a “virtual permit” with the license plates on your customer account.

Yes, if you are a renter residing within a Residential Parking Zone and meet the permit requirements, you are eligible for a permit.

Code enforcement staff will ticket vehicles without permits registered for the designated restricted parking hours for a parking violation.

Your permit allows you to park in the appropriate Residential Parking Zone without violation. Still, it does not excuse you from receiving a citation for violating other traffic regulations.

No one is required to purchase a permit. Participation in the program is voluntary. However, if you choose not to participate, you must obey the posted time limits in the area if you wish to park in the RPZ without receiving a parking citation.

To determine your residence eligibility, please check out our Locator Map. The interactive map will inform you of your eligibility status and provide resources for the next steps.

Residential Parking Permits and guest passes are the only permits associated with this program. Residential permits for the first two vehicles are $100 each per year. The price increases by $100 for each additional permit after the second. There is no limit on permits issued per residence; one (1) permit per vehicle. Each annual permit includes ten guest passes. Additional guest passes may be purchased for $1.00 for each pass (a minimum of 10 purchased at a time).

License Plate Recognition is a system of cameras and accompanying software placed in Parking Department vehicles to scan license plates. When a scanned license plate number is not associated with a valid permit or used correctly, the City’s enforcement officers investigate further and potentially issue a citation.

You may purchase guest permits for up to 24 hours. Extended use of the street requires an occupancy permit from the City.

The street is a right of way for any vehicle and is not private property. Taxes do not fund the Residential Parking Zone program. The program fees cover costs for administration, signage, and parking enforcement.

No. Residents with valid ADA credentials, plates, or placards can park in a Residential Parking Zone without needing an RPZ permit. However, individuals using ADA parking privileges must carry their Disability ID and show it to law enforcement officials upon request.

No, permits cannot be issued if the applicant has an outstanding parking ticket.

Various factors cause high traffic.

For instance, traffic-generating organizations and institutions can significantly affect parking availability, as the demand for employee parking often encroaches on residents’ access to on-street parking during peak hours. Moreover, developers built older residential developments when personal vehicle ownership was less prevalent, which resulted in insufficient parking space. Even in newer homes, residents often find parking inadequate for the number of cars they own. Additionally, many residents use their garages for storage instead of parking.

Parking on the street can be challenging, even in ideal conditions. While parking directly in front of your home might seem convenient, public streets serve everyone, and you cannot claim the parking space in front of your house as your own. Although no solution is perfect, many residents find that permit parking effectively prioritizes parking for them.